2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

6-10
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Audio System

Rear Window Antenna
The rear window antenna receives both
AM and FM signals.
Radio Reception
AM characteristics
AM signals bend around such things as
buildings or mountains and bounce off the
ionosphere. Therefore, they can reach
longer distances than FM signals. Because
of this, two stations may sometimes be
picked up on the same frequency at the
same time.
FM characteristics
An FM broadcast range is usually about
40—50 km (25—30 miles) from the
source. Because of extra coding needed to
break the sound into two channels, stereo
FM has even less range than monaural
(non-stereo) FM.
Antenna
When washing the inside rear window,
use a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm
water, gently wiping the antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the antenna.
CAUTION
Operating Tips for Audio
System
Ionosphere
Station 1 Station 2
FM Station
40—50 km
(25—30 miles)
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Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Signals from an FM transmitter are
similar to beams of light because they do
not bend around corners, but they do
reflect. Unlike AM signals, FM signals
cannot travel beyond the horizon.
Therefore, FM stations cannot be received
at the great distances possible with AM
reception.
Atmospheric conditions can also affect
FM reception. High humidity will cause
poor reception. However, cloudy days
may provide better reception than clear
days.
Multipath noise
Since FM signals can be reflected by
obstructions, it is possible to receive both
the direct signal and the reflected signal at
the same time. This causes a slight delay
in reception and may be heard as a broken
sound or a distortion. This problem may
also be encountered when in close
proximity to the transmitter.Flutter/Skip noise
Signals from an FM transmitter move in
straight lines and become weak in valleys
between tall buildings, mountains, and
other obstacles. When a vehicle passes
through such an area, the reception
conditions may change suddenly,
resulting in annoying noise.
Weak signal noise
In suburban areas, broadcast signals
become weak because of distance from
the transmitter. Reception in such fringe
areas is characterized by sound breakup.
Ionosphere
100—200 km (60—120 miles) FM wave
FM waveAM wave
DirectReflected wave
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Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Strong signal noise
This occurs very close to a transmitter
tower. The broadcast signals are
extremely strong, so the result is noise and
sound breakup at the radio receiver.
Station drift noise
When a vehicle reaches the area of two
strong stations broadcasting at similar
frequencies, the original station may be
temporarily lost and the second station
picked up. At this time there will be some
noise from this disturbance.
Operating Tips for Cassette Tape
Player
Cleaning the cassette tape player
The tape head, capstans, and pinch rollers
will gather oxide residue from cassette
tapes. This can cause weak or wavering
sounds and damage to the cassette tapes
and player. Use a good quality head-
cleaning tape or a liquid cleaner cassette
tape to remove it.
Should the unit not operate normally,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Never attempt to repair it or insert a
screwdriver or anything else.
Handling the cassette tape player
The following precautions should be
observed.
•Do not spill any liquid on the audio
system.
•Do not insert any objects, other than
cassette tape, into the slot.
Station 1
88.1 MHzStation 2
88.3 MHz
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Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
•If the cassette tape is loose, it may
produce poor sound or performance
during playback. Use a pencil or
something similar to remove any slack.
•Only cassette tapes that play no longer
than 90 minutes should be used.
Cassette tape exceeding 90 minutes are
thin and may easily break.
•Do not leave a cassette tape in the tape
player slot when not in use. Remove it
completely to permit the slot door to
close and to protect the mechanism
from dust.
•Store cassette tapes away from extreme
heat, magnetic fields, and direct
sunlight. Protect the exposed cassette
tape from dirt and damage. Store
cassette tapes in their original cases or
other protective cases.
Operating Tips for Mini Disc
(MD) Player
The following precautions should be
observed.
•Do not spill any liquid on the audio
system.
•Do not insert any objects, other than
MDs, into the slot.
•The MD player has been designed to
play MDs bearing the identification
logo as shown. No other MDs can be
played.
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Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
•The MD player can also play MDLPs
that have been recorded in MDLP
mode. (MDLPs bearing the
identification logo as shown below).
•When inserting the MD, make sure the
MD label is facing up, and the MD is
oriented to the insertion slot in the
direction of the arrow. If not inserted
correctly, the MD will be ejected, or
may remain stuck in the MD deck.
•Do not touch the internal part of the
MD. If the MD shutter is slid open for
no reason, it may be broken.
•Store MDs in their cases and away
from direct sunlight.
Operating Tips for CD Player/In-
Dash CD Changer
Condensation phenomenon
Immediately after turning on the heater
when the vehicle is cold, the CD or optical
components (prism and lens) in the CD
player/changer may become clouded with
condensation. At this time, the CD will
eject immediately when placed in the unit.
A clouded CD can be corrected simply by
wiping it with a soft cloth. Clouded
optical components will clear naturally in
about an hour. Wait for normal operation
to return before attempting to use the unit.
Handling the CD player/In-dash CD
changer
The following precautions should be
observed.
•Do not spill any liquid on the audio
system.
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Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
•Do not insert any objects, other than
CDs, into the slot.
•The CD revolves at high speed within
the unit. Defective (cracked or badly
bent) CDs should never be used.
•Do not use non-conventional discs such
as heart-shaped, octagonal discs, etc.
The CD player/changer could be
damaged.•A new CD may have rough edges on its
inner and outer perimeters. If a disc
with rough edges is used, proper
setting will not be possible and the CD
player/changer will not play the CD.
Remove the rough edges in advance by
using a ball-point pen or pencil as
shown below. To remove the rough
edges, rub the side of the pen or pencil
against the inner and outer perimeter of
the CD.
•When driving over uneven surfaces, the
sound may jump.
•The CD player/changer has been
designed to play CDs bearing the
identification logo as shown. No other
discs can be played.
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•Be sure never to touch the signal
surface when handling the CDs. Pick
up a CD by grasping the outer edge or
the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
•Do not stick paper or tape on the CD.
Avoid scratching the reverse side (the
side without a label).
•Dust, finger smudges, and dirt can
decrease the amount of light reflected
from the signal surface, thus affecting
sound quality. If the CD should
become soiled, gently wipe it with a
soft cloth from the center of the CD to
the edge.
•Do not use record sprays, antistatic
agents, or household spray cleaners.
Volatile chemicals such as benzine and
thinner can also damage the surface of
the CD and must not be used. Anything
that can damage, warp, or fog plastic
should never be used to clean CDs.
•CDs, like traditional audio records, are
made of plastic. To avoid warping,
keep the CDs in their cases and do not
store them where they will be exposed
to direct sunlight.
•The CD player/changer ejects the CD if
the CD is inserted upside down. Also
dirty and/or defective CDs may be
ejected.
•8 cm (3 in) CDs and CD accessories
(e.g. 8 cm disc adapter) cannot be used
in the CD player/changer.•Do not insert cleaning discs in the CD
player/changer.
•Do not insert any disc with a peel-off
or seal on it.
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Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Power/Volume/Sound Controls ......................................................................................6-18
Operating the Radio .......................................................................................................6-22
Operating the Cassette Tape Player ................................................................................6-24
Operating the Mini Disc (MD) Player ...........................................................................6-26
Operating the Compact Disc (CD) Player ......................................................................6-28
Operating the In-Dash CD Changer ...............................................................................6-30
Error Indications .............................................................................................................6-33
Audio Set
CD Player* In-dash CD Changer*
Cassette Tape Player* Mini Disc (MD) Player*Illustration is of a representative audio unit.
*Some models.
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